Road-vehicle.



No. 648,210. Patented A r. 24, I900.

. w. P. KIDDER.

ROAD VEHICLE.

(Application filed Apr, 18, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

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Patented Apr. 24, I900.

w. P. KIDDER. ROAD, VEHICLE.

(Application filed Apr. .13, .1899.)

.5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Modl.)

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N0. 648,2"). Patented Apr. 24, [900. 'W. P. KIDDER.

ROAD VEHICLE.

(Application filed Apr. 13, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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No. 648,2l0. Patented Apr. 24, I900.

W P KIDDER ROAD VEHICLE. (Application filed Apr. 18, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Shoat 4.,

(No Model.)

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No. 648,2l0. Patented Apr. 24, I900.

W. P. KIDDER.

ROAD VEHICLE. (Application filed Apr. 18, 1899.) (No Model.) 5Sheets-Sheet 5.

TN: xnims Firms-60.; murua. wnsmucnou. n. a

UNETED STATES PATENT rica \VELLI NGTON PARKER KIDDER, OF BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS.

ROAD-VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 648,210, dated April24, 1900. Original application filed February 2, 1899, Serial No.704.227. Divided and this application filed April 13, 1899 Serial No.

712,882. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it new concern:

Be it known that I, WE LINGTON PARKER KIDDER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Boston, in the conntyof Suffolk and running-gear ofmy new vehicle, parts being broken away for greater clearness. Fig. 2 isa top plan view, partlyin section, at line 2 2 of Fig. 3, showing partsof the running-gear. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on line 3 3 of Fig.2. Fig. 4 is a front end elevation of the driving-gear, showing alsoaportion of the steering-gear. Fig. 5 is a rear end elevation, partly insection, at line 5 5 of Fig. 2 of the running-gear. Fig.v 6 is a topplan view of the running-gear and is partially in section at line 6 6 ofFig.4. Fig. 7isaside elevation of the running-gear, showing themotor-casing in dotted lines. Fig. 8 is a partial side elevation of theparallel rocker-arm mechanism for maintaining the engine-supportingframe in parallelism with the'rear axle. Fig. 9 is aplan of same.

The main object of my invention is to combine the motor with therunning-gearin such wise that when the vehicle is jolted the motor iskept at a constant distance from the crank-shaft with which it and thedriven axle are connected, and the crank-shaft is keptin a stationaryposition with respect of both the motor and the driven axle,wherebyvariations of speed, due to jolting, and danger of strip ping the teethfrom gears intermediate the crank-shaft and driven axle are eitherprevented or minimized.

My invention consists in the combinations hereinafter described andclaimed, the most important feature of my invention consisting in thecombination of elastically-mounted engine-cylinders with a crank-shaftwhich is driven from the engine and is in fixed relation to the drivenaxle and with any kind of mechanism or contrivance for keeping constantthe distance between the cylinders and the crank-shaft.

In the drawings illustrating the principle of my invention and the bestmode now known to me of applying that principle, Ais the motor-casingfor steam-generatorB, furnace D, engine F,water-supply reservoir B,fuel-supply reservoir D, automatic fuel-feederD and automaticsteam-generator feeder B G G are members of the rear axle,G is frontaxle, ofthe running-gear of the vehicle, and H H H H the wheels'thereon.Casing A, with its contained mechanisms, is mounted. in any suitablemanner to the running-gear, which of course may be of widely-differentconstruction than that here shown withoutdepartu're from my invention. 7i

Referring to Figs. 4, 5, 6, .and 7, illustrating the running-gear in itspreferred form, G G are the wheeld'eceiving members of the rear axle,and these members G G are coupled to gether by a'differential gear, suchas is com monly usedin tricycle construction. Member G is provided witha beveledjgear g, and mem-: ber G is provided with a beveled gear 9, andthe opposed ends of the members G G are centered by means of a tang gFig. 5, on mem ber G entering a' corresponding recessin the opposed endof the member G. Beveledgears g gare coupled by the, interworkingbeveled gear-g mounted on astudgflwhich ismounted in and carried by thedriving-gear 9 whose hub g is mounted on the inner ends of members'G G,between the opposed sides of the beveled gears g g. The driving-gear gis formed with an opening g7, within which the beveled gear g is mountedand rotates. (See Figs. 3 and 5.) Member G rotates in 'a bearing-block gwhose outer end forms an abutment for the hub of a wheel H. Member Galso rotatesin a bearing-block 9 whose outer end forms an abutment forthe hub of the.

Wheel H. The bearing-blocks g are'connected by an upper and lower truss,transversely braced. The upper truss member 9* and the lower trussmember 9 pass through the upper and lower ends, respectively, of thevertical braces g g, the truss member g being above and the truss member9 being below the axle members G and G. The vertical braces g g areintegral portions of the axle-bearings g, whose inner ends formconvenient abutments for the outer ends of the hubs of the beveled gearsg g. The beveled gears g g are pinned or otherwise secured,respectively, to axle member G and axle member G. The upper and lowertrusses 9 g with the truss members g 9 form a stiff and strong supportfor the rear end of the running-gear, so far as vertical distortions orstrains are concern ed; and the differential-gear construction isproperly supported by the four bearings g and g. The object of thedifferential gear is, of course, to drive the wheels of the vehicle atdifferent speeds with the same propelling force when the vehicle-wheelsare going round curves. The braces g g and axle-bearings g are each acasting or forging and are each provided with an integral upwardly andinwardly projecting bearing 9 which support the crank-shat t of theengines, as hereinafter described. Arms g, in which the ends of thehorizontally-extending U-shaped frame are mounted, rest each on a springJ, carried by an under truss Frame 9 is preferably made of a bent tube.The front or bowed end offrame g is connected with the front axle G inan y suitable manner, but preferably as follows: The axle (5 is providedat each end with the well known pivotal hub-steerin g contrivance now inuse on motor-carriages; that is to say, with a U-shapcd bracket g fromthe under side of which truss g extends transversely of the vehicle orlengthwise of axle G the ends of the truss being secured to the bracketsg Truss g" supports a suitable spring g, which carries at its upperportion a vertical bracket g forming a hearing forthe horizontalkiug-bolt-gfl. (Compare Figs. 2, 3, and 4.) The bowed end of the framegis attached to and-supported by the rear end of the horizontal king-bolt9 (See Fig. 3.) Theking-bolt has a lengthwise movement in its bracket 9as shown clearly in Fig. 3, and in order to allow for; the movement ofthe front wheels over uneven ground, throwing the front axle out ofparallelism with the rear axle, the nut g of the king-bolt is on theouter or front side .of the bracket 9 and a suitable bracket 9 securesspring g to truss 9", Fig. 4:. From each bracket 9 there extendsrearwardly toward the rear axle a horizontal brace g, each brace beingpivotally connected at g to a bracket {[25, which is rigidly connectedwith the frame 915 by means of a bolt 9 entering the vertical stationarybrackets 9 which are on and extend above and below the side portions ofthe horizontal U-shaped frame g From each bracket 1 there extendsrearwardly a horizontal brace Q28, whose front end is pivotallyconnected to bracket Q25 and whose rear end is secured pivotally to thebearing-blocks 9 above mentioned. Said pivots are marked 00. Horizontalbraces Q23 and unite the front and rear axles with opposed sides of theU-shaped frame g about midway between the front and rear axles and givelateral rigidity to the running-gear. The side brackets 9 are tiedtogether transversely by means of upper and lowertie-rods g and 9 Tostiffen the frame g vertically, I provide beneath each side portion ofsaid frame a truss (1 the rearends of which are attached to lugsjdepending from the rear ends of frame 915, and the front ends of whichare attached in any suitable manner to the under sides of the horizontalU-shaped frame 9 the middle portions of the trusses g being carrieddownwardly toward the lower ends of the vertical brackets 9 and theretoconnected. The upper end of the vertical brackets'g are provided withheads on shaflg to assist in supporting portions of the steam-generator.The front ends of the bracesg are pivoted atg to lugs onthe brackets gt.The front wheels II II are jour naled on studs projecting from thebracket 933, each arm of which is connected by a ver. tical pivot 9 tothe bracket 9'. This particular construction is old, but is a veryexcellent one for securing the free movement of the wheels at .the endsof the front axle.

\Vhile any desired form of steering mechanism may be used, I here showthe following: From the front sides ofthe brackets y there extend arms 9which are connected by the transverse tie-rods q and 3 whose innerendsare held together by a pivot 9 passing through lheholesin the meetingends ofthe tie-rodsgi and g and being anchored in the outer endof thehorizontal lever 9 which is fast tov the vertical steering-spindle Thisspindle g is rotatively mounted gf, the sidemembers 9 94. in thebearing-head of which are anchored in the lateral wings g of thehorizontal king-bolt g'il- The lower end of spindle 1 also has a bearingin the butt-end of the horizontal king bolt, passing through thebutt-end of the horizontal lever g to which it is rigidly secured. Acollar g ,fast on the spindle underneath the bearing head g, keeps thespindle in place, and the upper end of the spindle is provided with asuitable handle I have thus described the preferred formof running'gear,and one which is sufficiently rigid in all directions to withstand theordinary strains of useand abuse, andone which permits the front wheelsto pass over obstacles and uneven roads without wrenching or injuringthe driving-gear, and whichat the same time keeps the horizontal frame 9upon which the motor is supported, in line with the rear axle. V

The brackets g have horizontal top extensionsj, (see Figs. 5 and 7,)which rest on the upper sides of springs J, and the brackets 'g arerigidly attached to the rear ends of the U-shaped frame which springsJare supported on brackets 7", carried by the under truss Frame g withthe brackets supported by it, are therefore elastically mounted on therear axle. As casing A and the parts allelism with the rear axle.

supported thereby are mounted on the springs J and are subjected tovertical movement under the yielding action of the springs J it isdesirable in order toprevent wrenching of the engine that the frame 9should have a yielding connection with the engine in order that theengine may preserve its distance from the crank-shaft f and at the sametime permit of the free vertical movement of the frame and parts carriedthereby on the springs J. Toaccomplishthis,lprovidetheU-shaped frame gwith hangers 9' to the lower ends of which are pivoted therearwardly-extending connecting-linksj ,\vhose rear ends are looselymounted on the lower truss g and provide the upper'ends of the verticalbrackets g with forwardly-projecting arms g to which are loosely pivotedthe parallel links j, each link 3' being loosely pivoted at j to theengine. (See Fig. 2.) The parallel links j and thus permit the U -shapedframe 9 with its load, to play up and down somewhat vertically under theresiliency of spring J without changing the distance of theengine fromthe crank-shaft f carried on the rear axle, as above described.

There are two rear springs J. As it. is quite likely-that said springswill be of unequal strength, and as one of the rear wheels willfrequently run into a rut while the other will be on higher or smootherground, it becomes desirable to provide means for preventing casing Aand its contained parts from depression on one side-in other words,toprovide means to'keep the casing A and its contained parts as nearly aspossible in par- Therefore I connect to the rear-end portion of theU-sh'aped frame 9 5 a transverse rocker-shaft 7' (see Figs. 6 and 7,)which is mounted in: the independent brackets j the rocker-shaft beingprovided with a pair of. thereto rigidly-attached rocker-armsj the rearends of which are pivotally socketed at 7' in the vertical brace gTherefore as the rear end of the U-shaped frame {/15 plays up and downon the rear springs J each rear end of the frame 9 is kept insubstantial parallelism with the rear axle. The transverse rocker -shaft7' also serves as a tie for the opposite rear-end portions ,of theU-shaped frame 9 the collarsj keeping the rocker-shaft in place andkeeping the rear end of the U-shapedframe from sliding outwardly alongthe rockershaft. The butt-ends of the rocker-arms 7' form the innerabutments for the dependent brackets j Having described the best formsof embodiments now known to me of the several features of my invention,it will be plain to all skilled in mechanics that the embodiments of theseveral features of my invention above described may be varied in verymany respects all without departure from my invention, and I desire tobe understoodas claiming each and every feature of my invention in thebroadest legally-permissible manner.

What I claim is- 1. The combination, in a motor-vehicle, of arunning-gear comprising a driven axle,with a motor-supporting frameoperatively mounted in said running gear; an elasticallymounted mot-or;a crank-shaft; crank-shaft bearings rigidly mounted in the running-gear;

means which operatively connect the motor with the crankshaft and rotateit; gearing connecting the crank-shaft with the driven axle; and amechanism which holds the motor at a constant distance from thecrank-shaft.

2. The combination, in a motor-vehicle, of a running-gear comprising adriven axle, with a motor-supporting frame operativelymounted in saidrunning-gear; an elast-ically gear mechanism operatively connecting androtating'said members; wheels therefor; an

elastically-mounted motor; a crank-shaft in fixed relation to the rearaxle; meansoperatively connecting the motor with the crankshaft; meansoperatively connecting the crank-shat t with and driving thedifferential gear mechanism; and means which keep con stant the'distancebetween the motor and the crank-shaft.

4. The combination, in a motor-vehicle, of a front axle; wheelstherefor; a rear axle comprising independent members; a differentialgear mechanism operatively connecting and IIO rotating saidmembers;wheels for the rear axle; a steam-engine; means whichelastically support the'cylinders of the engine; a crank-shaft; alink'mechanism connecting with the crank-shaft support; and means foroperatively connecting the crank-shaft with the differential gear.

5. In a running-gear for vehicles, the combination of a front and rearaxle and wheels therefor of a U -shaped loadsupporting frame; ahorizontal king-bolt connecting the front end of the frame with thefront axle and means for connecting said frame with the rear axle, saidking-bolt being attached to the load-supporting frame and being movableend wise in its connection with its front axle.

6. In a running-gear for vehicles, the combination of front and rearaxles; and wheels therefor, of a connecting load supporting frame; apivotal connection between said frame and the front axle; means forconnecting said frame to the rear axle; and side braces from near thewheel ends of the front axle to opposite sides of said frame; said frontbraces being pivotally connected with the front axle and also pivotallyconnected with said frame.

7. In a running-gear for vehicles, the combination of front and rearaxles and wheels therefor, of a load'supporting frame pi votallyconnected with the front axle; means for connecting it with the rearaxle; side braces from near the wheel ends of the front axle to oppositesides of said frame, said braces being pivotally connected with thefront axle and also pivotally connected with said frame; an under trussextending lengthwise of the front axle; and a spring between said trussand said supporting-frame.

8. In a motor-vehicle, a running-gear comprising in combination a frontand rear axle and wheels therefor; a load-su pporting frame connectingsaid axles; the frame being pivotally connected with said front axle;front braces pivotally connected with the front side axle and pivotallyconnected with said frame; an under truss extending lengthwise of thefront axle and supported thereby; a spring between said truss and frame;brackets at the rear end of said frame; an under truss extendinglengthwise of the rear axle and carried thereby; and springs betweensaid truss 011 the rear axle and the brackets of said frame; an uppertruss extending lengthwise of said rear axle; vertical braces connecting said upper and lower truss of the rear axle; rear side bracesextending from near the wheel ends of the rear axle to opposite sides ofsaid frame, and pivotally connected with said frame and with the rearaxle, said rear axle consisting of two main-wheel-carrying members; anda differential gear mechanism which couples the inner ends of saidrear-axle members.

9. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of front and rearaxles and wheelstherefor of a supporting-frame pivotally connected with the front axleand having a spring connection with the rear axle; an engine supportedby said frame; a crank-shaft in fixed relation to the rear axle; meansfor supporting said shaft rotatively in said relation; a drivingmechanism connecting the crank-shaft with the rear axle; means ofoperating the engine and a yielding mechanism connecting anengine-cylinder with the crank-shaft.

10. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of front and rear axles, andwheels therefor, with a supporting-frame pivotally connected with thefront axle and having a spring connection with the rear axle; an enginesupported by said frame; a crankshaft in fixed relation to the rearaxle, hangers depending from said frame; a truss; links connecting saidhangers with said truss; brackets connected to said truss and supportingthe said crank-shaft; links connecting said engine with said brackets; adriving mechanism connecting the crankshaft with the rear axle; means ofoperating the engine; and a yielding mechanism connecting anengine-cylinder with the crank-shaft.

11. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of front and rear axles, andWheels therefor, with a supporting-frame pivotally connected with thefront axle; a truss-supporting bearing for said rear axle; springsresting upon said truss; brackets fast to said frame and resting uponsaid springs; braces pivotally connected to said frame and said. truss;an engine carried by said frame; means for operating the engine; adriving mechanism operatively connecting the engine with the rear axle;a rocker-shaft journaled in said frame; and a rocker-lever fast to saidrocker-shaft, the free end of said lever being socketed in said truss.

.12. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of front and rear axles andwheels therefor with a supporting frame pivotally connected with thefront axle; means for elastically connecting said frame with the rearaxle; an engine carried by said frame; means for operating the engine;means for operatively connecting the engine with the rear axle to rotatethe same; and mechanism which connects said frame with the rear axle andholds the rear end portion of the frame in parallelism with the rearaxle.

13. In a motor-carriage, a rear axle; an upper lengthwise-extendingtruss for the axle; an under lengthwise-extending truss for the axle;vertical cross-braces connecting said trusses; said axle comprising twomembers;

a bevel-gear on the inner portions of each axle member; a bevel-gearintermeshing with and operatively connecting the bevel-gears on theinner portions of the axle; a spur-gear loose 011 the rear axle andhaving a chamber within which that bevel-gear which intermeshes with thebevel-gear on the axle memhers is rot-atively mounted; a driving-shaftsupported by said rear axle; suitable supports for said driving-shaftand a pinion which is fast on the driving-shaft and meshes with saiddriving-gear on the rear axle.

14:. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of front and rear axles, andwheels therefor, with a supporting-frame; a rocker-shaft journaled insaid frame; a rocker-lever fast upon said rocker-shaft, the free end ofsaid lever being socketed in atruss; said truss supporting bearings forsaid rear axle; and mechan ism for propelling said vehicle.

In testimony whereof I my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WELLINGTON PARKER KIDDER.

Witnesses:

EDWARD S. BEACH, E. A. ALLEN.

